Coffee/Espresso Machine

An espresso machine is used to make espresso, which is a drink that cannot be made in a normal coffee maker. There are many different types of espresso machines available, and they will be covered later in this article. First, let’s look at what espresso is, so we can get a greater understanding of the difference between a coffee maker and an espresso machine.

Espresso is technically coffee, but the process that the machine goes through to prepare it is much different. Espresso is an Italian coffee beverage and is commonly found in various coffee shops such as Starbucks, and is a highly desired drink. It can even be made at home with an espresso machine which is surprisingly not very expensive to purchase.

Espresso has a unique taste that sets it apart from coffee due to the explicit preparation process it goes through. The grind and pressure that it used for grinding the coffee in particular can play a major role in the taste of the drink when served. Once an espresso shot is prepared, it can be served immediately, or stored in a pre-heated cup or shot glass. The reason for storing the drink temporarily would be to maintain the high temperature that makes the drink even more enjoyable.

Types of Espresso Machines
There is a lot of information available about what the espresso drink is and how espresso machines work. While that is great, you should spend more time researching the particular types of espresso machines if you are interested in purchasing one.

There are many different types of espresso machines and the one you choose will affect how much you enjoy the hot beverage every time you use it, so take everything into consideration. Here are the more common types of espresso machines and a brief description on them:

Steam
This particular type of espresso machine is mainly driven by steam. The steam pressure will be used to drive the water through the coffee extremely quickly. As a result you will be able to make espresso shots which are strong and ready to drink almost immediately.

This type of espresso machine has been around ever since espresso machines were first invented but it is still a preferred choice for many people and businesses in today’s market. A steam operated espresso machine is affordable and you can find one that is built in combination with a drip coffee machine as well, which is definitely a convenient option.

Piston/Lever
A piston or lever driven espresso machine takes advantage of a lever that is manually operated in order to create enough pressure for the water to pass through the coffee. The result of this is the creation of an espresso shot and this particular type of machine also refers to the term “pulling a shot” based on how it operates. These machines have been available for over half a century and are still commonly found but since they are not automatic, they may not be a desired option.

However, there are some espresso machines that use the piston method and are not completely manual. You have the choice of an alternative option which is the spring piston design and it eliminates the need for you to manually force the water to go through the coffee. With the spring piston design there is a spring that operates to force the water through the coffee after a build up of tension is released.

Pump
This is the most commonly found version of the espresso machine in coffee shops and espresso bars. Chances are if you go to a professional establishment they will be using espresso machines that operate with a pump instead of any other design. These require much less effort as the pressure is not produced manually. There is a pump which is powered by a motor that is responsible for providing enough force to create the espresso.

The main reason why a pump driven espresso machine is beneficial is that it is extremely convenient. If you are just shopping for a espresso machine to use at home though, you may want to avoid this type of espresso machine. It still is a great investment but usually the heavy duty espresso pump machines are the best. These are designed to be hooked up directly to your plumbing system in most cases, while a cheaper model just includes a water reservoir in the machine.

There are other downfalls to choosing a pump driven espresso machine as well if you are just purchasing for home use. The main disadvantage would be that these espresso machine are usually designed with just one chamber that is used to heat water. The reason why this is such an issue is that it causes the machine to have a major delay when modifying the water temperature to serve the espresso mode better.

Ultimately it will lead to the espresso machine being much slower than you would like. If you choose to get this type of espresso machine then try to find one with a separate chamber for heating water as it will be much more efficient.

You may also want to look into other types of espresso machines as well such as semi-automatic, automatic, and super-automatic espresso machines. There are many models that are designed with these qualities and can be very efficient and convenient for home use.

Alternatively, you could even use a Moka pot to create espresso on your stove top, but it is not recommended. It all comes down to personal preference though. Look through the various types of espresso machines and choose which one is most convenient for you. You should be able to afford an espresso machine as they are relatively inexpensive. Overall, it is worth the investment as it will save you a lot of money that you would be wasting at coffee shops if you did not have one.

This Coffee/Espresso Machine Review is Written/Updated
on Jan 18th, 2011 and filed under Kitchen Appliances.
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